Quick Reaction: Raptors 100, Cavs 96

Amir Johnson, PF39 MIN | 8-19 FG | 1-1 FT | 16 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 3 BLK | 4 TO | 17 PTS | +6What more can I say – I feel like every one of these is me expounding on how much I love Amir’s energy. Along with Lowry, one of only two Raptors who seemed to be awake for the start of this game, and was absolutely key keeping the game within reach until his teammates started hitting shots. Phenomenal effort tonight.

Jonas Valanciunas, C33 MIN | 3-7 FG | 5-5 FT | 7 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 0 TO | 11 PTS | +6Man, the fans at the ACC sure love him, hey? Got taken to the cleaners for a stretch in the first half as he was left out alone against a stream of Cavs wings in the lane, but settled down nicely in the second half, showing his trademark hustle and dropping in a few nice hookshots down low. I was happier than happy to see him finally get big minutes for all four quarters tonight.

DeMar DeRozan, SG40 MIN | 3-13 FG | 7-8 FT | 3 REB | 6 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 13 PTS | -2Controlled the offensive flow far too often in the first half; it seemed like every Raptor possession was ending with him shooting a long jumper or passing the ball to the Cavs with the shot clock down low. I’m happy with the assist totals, but if you need 4 turnovers to get to 6 assists, you’re not really making a very positive contribution. Settled down late and hit some key free throws to ice the game.

Terrence Ross, SG28 MIN | 4-11 FG | 3-4 FT | 5 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 14 PTS | 0Looked as sleepy on D in the first half as the rest of the Raptor wings, but acquitted himself quite well in the 2nd half for the first start of his career, showing off a versatile offensive game and hitting a few threes for good measure. You can tell his comfort level was higher with a lower risk of getting benched. Oh, and there’s this.

John Lucas, PG5 MIN | 1-2 FG | 1-2 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 3 PTS | -5Was used briefly prior to halftime when he hit a 3 and played with some nice defensive tenacity, snatching a steal to help spark the Raps’ pre-halftime run. Matchups dictated his lack of PT, as he’s too small to help when the Cavs use Livingston as the team’s primary point guard.

Alan Anderson, SG26 MIN | 6-11 FG | 3-4 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 18 PTS | +1You can’t fault his shot selection tonight – was one of the first Raptors to come to the realization that they could get anything they wanted in the lane and hit a few nice 3s within the flow of the offense. Provided a key offensive spark in the fourth quarter that kept the Raptors in position to win the game late.

Is it just me or to the Raptors seem to have a better shot at winning when their ‘star’ players are out of the lineup? Viva JV and Ross, Cabrones!

trample54

They were losing, then Kyrie Irving happened

Adriiian

Shut up, the momentum swung our way. Unlucky that Kyrie got injured, but he PURPOSELY ran into JV to draw the foul. That’s what you get LIL’ HOMIE.

Kyrie will be great tho, he has some serious talent.

trample54

No need for that. If I was some other way I’d honestly curse you out. But I’m not going to. Other than that, it could have been 50/50 if Kyrie didn’t injure his shoulder.

Edit: I am happy they won.

Adriiian

What was it before? 30/70? The game was tied when he went out.

Shut up man. Dumb comment is dumb.

trample54

Now you fucking pissed me off. What the fucking hell. I said 50/50 puto. I know Raptors have a tendency to give up a lead. So shut the fuck up.

I didn’t want to do that but people like you know when to push my buttons.

Adriiian

“it could have been 50/50 if Kyrie didn’t injure his shoulder”
WHAT WAS IT BEFORE? 30/70? There’s 2 teams, and it’s always 50/50. Shut the fuck up man. You ain’t smart.

trample54

You NEED to shut the fuck up. Talking bout I ain’t smart you better back the fuck up talking that shit. The Raptors were sort of on their way to winning then Irving was gone then game was over for the Cavs. The fuck?! FOH

Adriiian

How was the game over?

They took it to the final possessions. Wasn’t it 95-94 at one point? Stop talking man. Stop trying to defend your stupid comment.
You’ve lost this battle, move on to the next one dawg.

Roarque

I have am image of these two “dogs” scrappin’ in the alley/ One weighs 100 lbs and the other is 98. Tough dudes in the ethernet.

Knowsadummy

both of you are dumb, stop fighting

Maahfaace

Ill bring the bird feed to your bird fight you two birds

Roarque

BS

j bean

You ever have an accident when one car isn’t damaged and the other one needs to be towed?
That’s what happened when K Irving ran into Jonas.

CJT

Ross was lost on D all night. I was happy to see him heat up in the 3rd to offset his airballs in the 1st. Lowry was great tonight he has really started to grow in to the role and he is playing with great control. Amir is a beast.

Leftovercrack

It was the first start of Ross’ career, he looked lost on D but he’ll learn. Lowry had 9 rebounds, a freaking point guard had 9 rebounds! Puts Bargs board efforts into perspective

Halifax Raps Fan

Agree, but still wish he focused more on assists!

Scottbbaird

Started so bad, ended so good

Roarque

I’d given up at the half but was “convinced” to hang in by the wife. She has always been the smart one in the family.

FAQ

Hmmmm…. I guess DC has given up on the playoffs since the TRaps are 8 games behind the Bucks… and that’s why he started TRoss, for deevelopment purposes and looking ahead to next season (+ or – Bargs).

unknown guest

Oh course now that he starts TRoss and actually plays JV, and the “stars” sit (AB and RG) they win. This team, man. smh

Jack Hodgins

Amir played well but 4 TO should maybe knock him down to an A or A-

RapthoseLeafs

Great win.
Good experience for the rookies. Especially after being down 17 points late in the 1st half.

Raptors needed this win. Partly for sanity’s sake. Partly for development, as 2 Rookies starting, led to a win. Mostly though, to back off the wolves. These days, the analyzing is being micro-managed to death. I say let this play out, albeit, with some direction.

I believe Leo mentioned tonites’ Starting line-up was the 21st for the Raps. Apparently a Stat that gives Toronto one distinction … in 1st Place. It’s that fluidity that has existed this season, that should give food for thought to those who want to rebuild this all over again. Bill Murray would say that can get monotonous.

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One concern I had for tonight’s game, has to do with Amir.
I think he’s playing too many minutes. Acy should be up, not in the DL. We also need Andrea back – a season ending injury doesn’t help. Especially for those who want him moved. Shutting it down probably means he starts the season with the Raps.

As for AJ [39.1 minutes tonite – 17 pts 16 Rbs 2 Asts 3 Blocks], I think we all know what he brings to the team. This season should’ve solidified to any Doubters, that Amir’s a valuable part of this team. Budda must be smiling right now.

Considering where we are, I think Casey has to show some sanity when it comes to Amir. Play-offs have unofficially expired. Dwane probably recognizes that his appetite to win has to adopt a more developmental flavour. No reason why he can’t let a few more mistakes go by, for the Rookies. To a degree of course. But for Amir, DC has to recognize this is also about next season.

Winning and training have to blend better now. Not having our draft pick actually gives reason to treat this period like a long exhibition season, as tanking makes no sense. It’s too far off. And it breeds a negative atmosphere … not a good factor when trying to see how roles play out.

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What we do for the balance of this season will have many opinions. To me, any cause that might help Toronto for next season – now or in the future – should be welcome with open arms. Anything that might negatively affect next season, should be watched closely. One of those is Amir’s health. With Play-offs gone – confirmed during the past 10 games – Johnson has been averaging 32.4 mpg in those last 10 games. To me, jeoparizing next season for an extra win or two, such that it really only matters to BC’s legacy with Lowry, strikes me as a reactive direction. With not enough foresight to the future.

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j bean

There are 97 players averaging more mpg than Amir.
Check out the mpg of the star players with long careers.

JerryGarcia

Thank you…….may the four winds blow us safely home.

unknown guest

We also need Andrea back – a season ending injury doesn’t help. Especially for those who want him moved. Shutting it down probably means he starts the season with the Raps.
I dunno, maybe shutting him down IS a positive as BC can spin it as an “injury” that has affected his shooting, cardio, etc. + from what’s come out, the whole Bulls/Boozer-thing was BS on the Raps part.

DumbassKicker

Perhaps I missed something, so what “was BS on the Raps part”?

smh

the “BS” was the supposed interest of the Bulls to acquire AB for Boozer. Who knows what to believe these days. Anywho, the perception now is that the “trade” was nothing more that the Raps drumming up interest for AB, and that the Bulls had no interest at all.
As for AB, being shut down now might be a blessing in disguise. He’s still being paid a lot of money to heal up, BC can “spin” that he was never 100% this season, he might become motivated/angry and focus on conditioning this summer.

DumbassKicker

Um, the story was out of the Chicago media, and was about the Bulls initiating talks, not the other way around.

Downtown

Rarely agree on anything posted by The Star’s reporters, but the game tonight was best summoned by a “B-List” sports journalist from the mentioned newspaper: “The Raptors were playing their first game back at the Air Canada Centre since winning just one on a four-game western road trip, and Sunday’s game looked like it was going to be more of the same for the slumping team.”